Public Service

The YuKanRun Fool’s Dual Race Series is a totally unique race concept. For 5K races and shorter, we’re looking for check point operators. For half marathon races we would like to have six check points. We also need a Net Control operator, Incident Command, and a Race Tail operator for each event. Please let us know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Sunday, March 26, so we can plan staffing positions.

This event starts at the O’Maley Middle School, 32 Cherry Street, Gloucester. The 5K Race starts at 08:00 and loops clockwise around the Riverdale proximity. Half Marathon starts at 09:00 and runs up Washington into Rockport and back. Support cut-off time will be about four hours after half marathon start.

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved with the replacement of our new antennas, the northern region of this course may still experience some difficulty with communications–especially with low-powered HTs–so we’ll be looking for higher-powered equipment to staff those areas.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (i.e., mobile; H-T; 1/4-wave magnetic mount, OEM rubber duck, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to assign you along the event course.

Thank you in advance for your participation! You can sign up at http://www.nsradio.org.

CAARA, Race coordinators
Ross Burton, W1RAB. Chair
Chris Winczewski, K1TAT. Co Chair
Please contact Chris Winczewski, K1TAT at k1tat@outlook.com
978- 335-3594, please leave message

The Run of the Charles is one of the most unique public service events for hams each year. It’s a suite of canoe and kayak races for all different group sizes and course lengths. The variety draws all kinds of participants, and they all rely on us to help keep the event running safely and smoothly.

This year’s Run of the Charles is on Sunday, April 30. The full 26-mile course runs from Riverdale Park in Dedham down to Artesani Park in Brighton. Assignment check-in times vary by location, from 7:00 AM at far start points to 10:00 AM at portages near the finish. Since the CRWA relies on hams for all kinds of logistics, from on-site check-ins to rules infractions, there’s a position for volunteers at any experience level. For more information, visit the race Web site.

Volunteers for this event must have a dual-band (2m and 70cm) handheld radio and an antenna with improved gain over the stock rubber duck. These are necessary because many volunteer sites are low-lying areas where it can be a challenge to reach repeaters. If you can help, please write back with the following information:

• Your call sign, full name, and name you prefer on the air
• Phone numbers where you can be reached (cell, home, office)
• Your preferred e-mail address
• The transmit band(s) of your radio(s), and other equipment you could bring. Start sites that accept new registrations could benefit from a larger setup—think 10W+ and an antenna like a magmount or better. If you’re able and willing to bring that extra equipment, please let me know.
• Your shirt size
• Do you have any needs or requests we should consider when making your assignment?

If you have questions about the run, please get in touch by e-mail or phone (859) 466 5915.

Thank you, and 73,

—
Brett Smith, AB1RL
Public Service Coordinator, Boston Amateur Radio Club

Brett Smith, AB1RL writes

Volunteer registration is open for the BAA 5K! The race is the Saturday before Marathon Monday, April 15. Registration is scheduled to close on February 9, so please sign up soon to make sure we can get you on the team.

The 5K and the Marathon use the same volunteer registration system. If you’re volunteering at the Marathon, please register and request a Marathon assignment. After you’re done, please e-mail BAA volunteer coordinator Mary Miller and CC: me to request to be added to the 5K roster as well. If you can include your BAA volunteer loyalty number or registration confirmation number, that helps.

If you just want to volunteer at the 5K, go through the volunteer registration and choose “5K Hams” as your assignment preference when asked. You’ll know you’re done when you get a confirmation number.

The BAA always appreciates support from amateur radio volunteers. We wouldn’t have that great relationship if you didn’t come and put in the work to make these races possible. I hope you’ll join us to help kick off another great year of public service.

If you have questions about either event, please reply by e-mail, or phone (859) 466 5915.

Thank you, and 73,

Brett Smith, AB1RL
Public Service Coordinator, Boston Amateur Radio Club

Per Clay Center ARC’s Facebook page:

Volunteer for the 2017 Boston Marathon Communications group!

The registration deadline is Wednesday, February 8th, 2017.

As we look back on the past year, through the stories of athleticism, triumph and community that are told at each B.A.A. race — especially the Boston Marathon — we recognize the lively spirit of Boston Athletic Association volunteers. Thank you for your singular and collective contribution towards making Patriots’ Day exceptional for 30,000 participants each and every April. We now look forward to the 121st running of the Boston Marathon, to be held on Monday, April 17th, 2017, and sincerely hope that you can join us once again as a volunteer for this iconic event.

Mark Richards, K1MGY writes on the PART of Westford list:

The Head of the Charles Regatta (http://www.hocr.org/) is a fantastically fun and exciting event for Amateur Radio public service. This premiere rowing event, attracting competitors from all over the world, relies upon Amateur Radio communications for coordination and medical support of both land and boat-based services along the beautiful Charles River.

HOCR has a need for at least three more communications volunteers.

On 21 October (Friday) the event holds a practice session for participants from mid morning to late afternoon. There are two land-based positions available.

On Saturday the event kicks off. There is one land-based position available.

There are no slots available for Sunday, 22 October, but I’m sure HOCR will put you on a reserve list if you’d like a slot there.

To serve, you need a decent dual-band hand-held radio and should have some experience supporting communications and working within teams. Familiarity with the Communications Standards used at the BAA Boston Marathon is a good starting point. See https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_R6snQbpJ3MUzBzTEZ0c0VaRkU/view?usp=sharing

If you wish to apply, you may contact me directly through this email list

Mark Richards, K1MGY

or phone directly: 617 592 4392

I have several years of experience working this event and would be happy to give you more information.

David Wolfe, KG1H writes:

The 5th annual Ashland Half Marathon 5K Race & One Mile Walk/Run will kick off on Saturday October 29, 2016 and begin and end at Marathon Park, which marks the original starting line area for Boston’s marathon for its first 27 years, from 1897-1923.

Set in late October to take advantage of the cool temperatures runners of all stripes desire the Ashland Half-Marathon winds its way along a picturesque 13.1 mile figure 8 course through Ashland’s foliage-filled roads and lanes.

Contact Mark Richards kmalittl1@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.

David/KG1H
MMRA Public Service Coordinator

Brett Smith, AB1RL writes on the Boston ARC list:

The BAA Half Marathon is just a couple weeks away now. If you haven’t already, this is your last chance to register to volunteer on the BAA web site http://www.baa.org/races/half-marathon/event-information/volunteer-information.aspx for the ham radio team. We can always use more help, and we’d love to have you join us.

If you haven’t worked this event before, it’s practically the best of both worlds: it has all the polish you’d expect from a large BAA event, but it still keeps that great supportive community atmosphere. And it benefits the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, so it’s for a good cause. You’ll need to report for your assignment at 6:00 AM, and then we finish shortly after lunch.

I hope you’ll sign up this weekend to join us. You don’t need to join any group when prompted; just select no group, then on the next screen, request an assignment with “Ham Radios.” Of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

Terry Stader, KA8SCP writes:

The Lowell CERT Communications Team has been asked to support once again the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon. This year the event is on Sunday, October 16th. Our operational time period is from approximately 0700 until event completion (estimated 1400). Our assistance has been requested by Lowell Office of Emergency Management and Lowell Fire Department. The communications team will be employing Amateur Radio to provide this communications asset. Amateur Radio will be used for two functions:

* Medical operations: the purpose of this net is to provide a communications link for medical requests/status to the incident command post.
* Accountability net: the purpose of this net is to coordinate with a race public information booth the status of runners who are unable to complete the race for any issue to any one is seeking this information.

Race info may be found at http://baystatemarathon.com/raceinfo.

Please contact Terry M. Stader at ka8scp@wb1gof.org if you are able to assist or would like more information.